Interchangeable Jewelry Bands

ABSTRACT

A method for applying jewelry especially in connection with functional items such as medical alert bracelets and replaces the cumbersome and difficult to open traditional clasps. The clasps can hold tight, yet allow those without fine motor skills to easily clasp and unclasp the jewelry.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application 61/500,540 filed 23 Jun. 2011; entitled “Interchangeable beaded jewelry”. The entire contents being hereby incorporated by reference and for which benefit of the priority date is claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to Jewelry and in particular a piece of body member circling adornment having an interlock mechanism allowing for ease of attachment and removal and comprising magnetic members for connection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many times individuals have needs for jewelry beyond simple adornment. Many times a piece of jewelry serves a dual purpose such as being a functional element such as providing indicia or information important to the wearer, such as medical information or a locket of sentimental value. Or it could provide a mechanical functional piece, such as a watch, communication device, or computing device.

Many wearers are burdened with inhibited movement and dexterity making it hard to attach or remove a piece of jewelry. It may also be desired to be able to mix and match various elements of jewelry with a variety of functional elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a band which confines or constricts while allowing a degree of movement, which can be defined as a thin flat encircling strip for binding such as a cord, wire, tensor, chain, substantially comprise of leather, fiber, metal and the like. In various embodiments, this can be seen as an elastic chord having a high percentage of elongation.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a clasp which allows an individual to easily apply or remove jewelry while having diminished fine motor skills.

It is therefore an object of the invention to have the functional element and the banding element be securely adjoined.

It is another object of the invention that this structure provides improved leverage for applying and/or removing the band.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide interchangeability of the various bands with various functional elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1A is a front view of one embodiment of a band disconnected from one embodiment of a center piece;

FIG. 1B is a front view of one embodiment of a band connected with one embodiment of a center piece;

FIG. 2A is a front partial view of one embodiment of a band connected with one embodiment of a center piece having an alternate attachment for the magnets;

FIG. 2B is a side view taken from FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is an alternate embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an alternate embodiment of FIG. 2 having an elongate magnet;

FIG. 6A is a an alternate embodiment having a lever-arm and swivel arrangement;

FIG. 6B is the embodiment of 6A wherein the lever-arm is swiveled;

FIG. 6C is the embodiment of 6A wherein the lever-arm acts as a pry bar;

FIGS. 7A, B, C show alternate embodiments of a bands.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A, B, show an embodiment having a band (10) being terminated at one end by a first band magnet (18A), and at another end by a second band magnet (18B). A center piece (12), in this case a medical alert bracelet, but which can comprise a trinket, locket, medical alert bracelet, watch body or the like is attached by means of connectors (14) to a first functional element magnet (16A) and a second center piece magnet (16B). Each of the band magnets (18) and center piece magnets (16) are arranged to have attracting (opposite) polarities so as to aid in connection one with another.

FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment wherein the functional element magnets (16A, B) are rigidly attached to the functional element (12A) thereby incorporating the transforming the functional element to act as a lever-arm.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the functional element (12B) being a locket. In addition the magnets (16) (18) are arranged such that the functional element magnets (16A, B) are free to move about.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the functional element (12C) being a watch, and having an elongate member providing a lever-arm.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment further comprising the functional element magnets (16A, B) are rigidly attached and a ridge is incorporated in order to keep the band magnets (18A, B) from sliding away from the functional element magnets (16A, B).

FIG. 6 A shows an alternate embodiment having in this instance a band (10) being connected (14) with a lever arm (22) being connected by means of a swivel (24) to a band magnet (18). The lever arm (22) and the band magnet (18) can be interleaved in a tongue and groove (26) with the swivel (24) connecting between the two. The band magnet (18) is connected with a center piece magnet (16) which is in tern connected with a functional element (not shown). The tongue can also act as a means to prevent unintended attachment to other objects.

Should the band (10) or functional element be bumped in a way that the magnets (16) (18) would normally be shorn and separated, the swivel takes up the energy causing the lever arm (22) to absorb the energy as shown in FIG. 6B.

However, should a user desire to remove the band (10) from the functional element (not shown), the user can simply pry the lever arm (22) in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the tongue and groove (26) causing a rotational separation between the band magnet (18) and the functional element magnet (16) facilitating separation as shown in FIG. 6C).

FIGS. 7A, B, C) illustrate various designs for bands showing respectively jeweled, leather or chained, and pearled embodiments. It can also be made of beads or cords.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. The invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

For example, although the foregoing refers to various magnets, it is contemplated that the magnets can be a combination of magnet with a housing which can be either ferrous metal, or non-ferrous material such as Al in order to decouple magnetic fields or prevent attachment to other items.

Further, connector details may vary from chain type embodiments to other ties or chords. Dimensions and length of bands can vary, it is anticipated that the preferred embodiment be a bracelet but can be expanded to be a necklace, or anklet.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims. 

1. A method for applying or removing jewelry for encircling a member of the body comprising: (i) providing a functional element having at least a first magnetic member in association therewith; (ii) providing a band having at least a second magnetic member in association therewith; (iii) the second magnetic member further comprising a lever; (iv) coupling the first magnetic member with the second magnetic member closing the band around the member of the body.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetic members are at the ends of the functional element.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the functional element is a medical sign.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the functional element has means to prevent attachment to other objects.
 5. A piece of jewelry that comprises: (i) a functional element having at least a first magnetic member in association therewith; (ii) a band having at least a second magnetic member in association therewith; (iii) the second magnetic member further comprising a lever; coupling the first magnetic member with the second magnetic member closing the band around the member of the body. 